Communication apparatus having access point function for operating as base unit for wireless communication and method for controlling communication apparatus

ABSTRACT

A communication apparatus including an access point function permits a designated terminal to wirelessly connect with the communication apparatus and inhibits a non-designated terminal from wirelessly connecting with the communication apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to a communication apparatus having anaccess point function for operating as a base unit for wirelesscommunication.

Description of the Related Art

Image forming apparatuses that support a wireless function are known.The image forming apparatuses that support the wireless communicationfunction can include a plurality of wireless communication systems.Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-153452 discusses anapparatus including an infrastructure mode for performing wirelesscommunication using a wireless access point and an ad hoc mode fordirectly performing wireless communication between apparatuses withoutusing a wireless access point. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2013-219430 discusses performing wireless communication where wirelesscommunication is distinguished between a connection using a wirelessaccess point and a connection without using a wireless access point.

If an access point function (AP function) for directly performingwireless communication between apparatuses without using a wirelessaccess point is used, the image forming apparatus wirelessly broadcastsa service set identifier (SSID) serving as a wireless identifier. Aportable terminal searching for a connectable image forming apparatusconnects to a wireless network provided by the AP function of the imageforming apparatus through a procedure for searching for an SSID issuedby the image forming apparatus and establishing a wireless connection.

When a plurality of connectable portable terminals exist around an imageforming apparatus, the plurality of portable terminals can wirelesslyconnect to the image forming apparatus before a user's portable terminalconnects to the image forming apparatus. If the number of portableterminals wirelessly connecting to the image forming apparatus prior tothe user's portable terminal is large, the upper limit of number ofconnections to the image forming apparatus can be met before the user'sportable terminal wirelessly connects to the image forming apparatus.When the upper limit is met, the user's portable terminal cannotwirelessly connect to the image forming apparatus.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a communication apparatusincluding an access point function for wireless communication, thecommunication apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store, ina connection history, a terminal wirelessly connected to thecommunication apparatus executing the access point function, adetermination unit configured to determine, in a case where thecommunication apparatus receives an instruction to permit a new terminalto wirelessly connect to the communication apparatus and a wirelessconnection request is issued to the communication apparatus executingthe access point function, whether a request source terminal is storedin the connection history, and a control unit configured to permit, in acase where the determination unit determines that the request sourceterminal is not stored in the connection history, the request sourceterminal to wirelessly connect to the communication apparatus, and toinhibit, in a case where the determination unit determines that therequest source terminal is stored in the connection history, the requestsource terminal to wirelessly connect to the communication apparatus.

Further features will become apparent from the following description ofexemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams each illustrating a connection statebetween an image forming apparatus and a portable terminal.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus, and FIG.2B is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of a wirelesslocal area network (LAN) unit.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating an example of a data structure ofconnection history information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing by a centralprocessing unit (CPU) and a wireless control unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the CPU.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the wireless controlunit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to thedrawings.

An image forming apparatus 100 includes an access point function(hereinafter referred to as an AP function) operated by the imageforming apparatus 100 as a base unit for wireless communication. Theimage forming apparatus 100 is an example of a communication apparatusincluding an AP function. Any communication apparatus, such as a digitalcamera or a smartphone, including an AP function is applicable.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a state where a portable terminal 110serving as an external apparatus connects to a wireless networkestablished by the AP function of the image forming apparatus 100. Arange indicated by a circle 101 is a range in which the AP function ofthe image forming apparatus 100 can be used. Generally, a terminalwithin a radius of approximately 100 meters to an access point canperform wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 100using the wireless network. The image forming apparatus 100 provides thewireless network using the AP function, and, in a case where theportable terminal 110 exists within a range of a radio wave of thewireless network, can establish network-connection to the portableterminal 110 via a wireless local area network (LAN) 120.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a state where the image formingapparatus 100 and the portable terminal 110 establish network-connectionto each other by a station function (hereinafter referred to as an STAfunction) of the wireless LAN 120 of the image forming apparatus 100.The image forming apparatus 100 connects to the portable terminal 110via a wireless access point 130, where the image forming apparatus 100connects to the wireless access point 130 either via a wired LAN 150and/or via the wireless LAN 120 provided by the wireless access point130. The portable terminal 110 connects to the image forming apparatus100 via the wireless LAN 120 provided by the wireless access point 130.The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplaryembodiment can simultaneously use the wired LAN 150 and the wireless LAN120. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured suchthat either one of network interfaces is effective.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the imageforming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 includes acentral processing unit (CPU) 201, a random access memory (RAM) 202, anelectrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) 203, aprinter interface (I/F) 204, a scanner I/F 205, an operation unit I/F206, a communication I/F 207, and is configured to transmit and receivedata via a system bus 213. The image forming apparatus 100 also includesNetwork Interface Controllers (NICs), for example, a printer 208, ascanner 209, an operation unit 210, a wired LAN unit 211, and a wirelessLAN unit 212.

The CPU 201 controls operation of the image forming apparatus 100. TheCPU 201 controls devices connected to the system bus 213 according to aprogram stored in the EEPROM 203. The RAM 202 functions as a main memoryand a work area of the CPU 201, and is also used as an image informationstorage area. The EEPROM 203 stores various types of fonts to bedisplayed on a display device of the operation unit 210, a controlprogram and the like to be executed by the CPU 201, and various types ofdata. Processing performed by the CPU 201, described below, isimplemented when the CPU 201 reads out the program stored in the EEPROM203 or the like and executes the read program.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the RAM 202 stores connectionhistory information 220 and setting information 221. The connectionhistory information 220 is information indicating past connectionhistories by the wireless LAN unit 212. The setting information 221 isinformation indicating a setting of the wireless LAN 120 or the like setby a user. The connection history information 220 and the settinginformation 221 are copied to the EEPROM 203, as needed, and arerestorable even if power to the image forming apparatus 100 is turnedoff.

The printer I/F 204 controls an interface with the printer 208 servingas a printer engine. The printer 208 performs printing on recordingmedia. The scanner I/F 205 controls an interface with the scanner 209serving as a scanner engine. The scanner 209 reads a document placed onthe image forming apparatus 100, and generates a document image. Theoperation unit I/F 206 controls an interface with the operation unit 210for executing various types of settings of the image forming apparatus100. The communication I/F 207 controls communication of the NICs, suchas the wired LAN unit 211 and the wireless LAN unit 212. The wired LANunit 211 and the wireless LAN unit 212 control transmission andreception of data to and from the portable terminal 110 via the wiredLAN 150 and the wireless LAN 120. The wireless LAN unit 212 includes awireless control unit 230. The wireless control unit 230 is a CPU, achip, or the like, and controls the wireless LAN unit 212.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of thewireless LAN unit 212. The wireless LAN unit 212 includes an AP functionunit 231 and an STA function unit 232. The AP function unit 231 controlsan AP function serving as the access point. The STA function unit 232controls an STA function for connecting to the access point. While thewireless LAN unit 212 operates using either the AP function or the STAfunction in the present exemplary embodiment, these functions are notseen to be limiting.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating an example of a data structure of theconnection history information 220. The connection history information220 is updated or added by the CPU 201 according to an instruction fromthe wireless control unit 230 every time the portable terminal 110 isconnected to a network established by the wireless LAN unit 212. Theprocessing is an example of history management processing for storing aconnection history. The connection history information 220 includes aplurality of pieces of connection information. Each row in the tableillustrated in FIG. 3 corresponds to a piece of connection information(record). In each piece of connection information, a name, an identifier(ID), and a final connection date are recorded in such a manner thatthey are associated with one another.

The name is a name of a portable terminal as a connection partner. Inthe present exemplary embodiment, a Domain Name Server (DNS) host nameset by a Request For Comment (RFC) 1035 of a technical document issuedby an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is registered as an initialvalue of the name. The ID is identification information about a portableterminal as the connection partner. Unique identification informationthat uniquely specifies a portable terminal, such as a Media AccessControl (MAC) address, is registered as the ID. The MAC address isacquired from IEEE 802.11 (a wireless LAN-related standard developed byThe Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)).

The final connection date is a latest date on which a connection to aportable terminal as the connection partner has been made. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the date on which an Internet Protocol(IP) address has been allocated to a portable terminal to which thewireless control unit 230 has connected is registered as the finalconnection date. The name, the ID, and the final connection date arejust examples, and are not seen to be limiting.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition for setting andupdating the connection history information 220 and the settinginformation 221. First, the CPU 201 in the image forming apparatus 100controls the operation unit I/F 206, and displays a function selectionscreen G401 on the display device of the operation unit 210. To make aWireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi®) setting, the user selects a “menu setting” onthe function selection screen G401, and selects a “Wi-Fi® setting” on amenu setting screen G402 subsequently displayed. Thus, a Wi-Fi® settingscreen G403 is displayed.

On the Wi-Fi® setting screen G403, the user can select any one of a “STAconnection setting”, an “AP connection setting”, and a “Wi-Fi® statusconfirmation”. When the “STA connection setting” is selected, thedisplay screen changes to a setting screen for various types of settingsrelating to the STA function of the wireless LAN unit 212. When the “APconnection setting” is selected, the display screen changes to a settingscreen for various types of settings required for the AP function of thewireless LAN unit 212. When the “Wi-Fi® status confirmation” isselected, the display screen changes to a Wi-Fi® status confirmationscreen.

When the “AP connection setting” is selected on the Wi-Fi® settingscreen G403, the CPU 201 displays an AP connection setting screen G404.On the AP connection setting screen G404, various types of settingsrelating to the AP function of the wireless LAN 120 can be made. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, a list of information about devices beingconnected can be checked using an “SSID setting” and the AP function.When the “STA connection setting” is selected on the Wi-Fi® settingscreen G403, the CPU 201 displays an STA connection setting screen. Onthe STA connection setting screen, various types of settings relating tothe STA function of the wireless LAN 120 can be made.

When the “SSID setting” is selected on the AP connection setting screenG404, the CPU 201 changes the display screen to an SSID setting screenG405. On the SSID setting screen G405, handling of an SSID required fora wireless LAN connection can be set. On the SSID setting screen G405,if the same SSID value is used every time when a wireless access pointfunction is provided, the user can select “fixed SSID”. If the “fixedSSID” is selected on the SSID setting screen G405, the SSID and anencryption key can be confirmed in an SSID confirmation display screenG406. If an SSID editing button is operated on the SSID confirmationdisplay screen G406, the SSID and the encryption key can be edited in anSSID editing screen G408. If a register button is operated on the SSIDediting screen G408, the SSID and the encryption key input on the SSIDediting screen G408 are stored in the setting information 221 in the RAM202.

If a “currently connected device information display” is selected on theAP connection setting screen G404, a list of information about devicesbeing connected using the AP function can be checked in a currentlyconnected device information display screen G407. The CPU 201 can edit aterminal name to be displayed as a connection terminal history on aterminal name editing screen G409 in response to a user operation of aname editing button on the currently connected device informationdisplay screen G407. If a register button is operated on the terminalname editing screen G409, the CPU 201 edits (updates) correspondinginformation in the connection history information 220 in the RAM 202,according to the terminal name input on the terminal name editing screenG409.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition of when the “fixedSSID” is selected on the SSID setting screen G405 illustrated in FIG. 4.The CPU 201 displays the function selection screen G401 on the displaydevice of the operation unit 210. To start up the AP function unit 231,the user operates a “Wi-Fi® direct connection”.

When the “Wi-Fi® direct connection” is selected, the CPU 201 displays aWi-Fi® direct connection screen G501. The Wi-Fi® direct connectionscreen G501 is an example of a setting screen on which the user canselect a setting of a connection destination. On the Wi-Fi® directconnection screen G501, “designate terminal from connection history”,“only new terminal connectable”, and “connection not restricted” can beselected. When the “designate terminal from connection history” isselected, the display screen changes to a screen on which a terminal isdesignated from among portable terminals recorded in the connectionhistory information 220, i.e., portable terminals that have previouslybeen connected. When the “only new terminal connectable” is selected, asetting with which only a terminal not recorded in the connectionhistory information 220 is permitted to be connected is made. When the“connection not restricted” is selected, a setting not to restrict aconnection terminal is made.

If the “designate terminal from connection history” is selected on theWi-Fi® direct connection screen G501, the CPU 201 displays informationstored in the connection history information 220 as a list format on aselection from connection history screen G502. The user can designate aportable terminal, which is desired to be connected to the image formingapparatus 100, using a selection button on the selection from connectionhistory screen G502. If an operation for confirming details of aterminal is performed on the selection from connection history screenG502, the CPU 201 displays a terminal detail display screen G503.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the name in the connection historyinformation 220 can be edited on the terminal detail display screenG503. If the user operates a name editing button on the terminal detaildisplay screen G503, the CPU 201 displays a terminal name editing screenG504. When a register button is operated, the CPU 201 changes the namein the connection history information 220, like on the terminal nameediting screen G409.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition occurring when a“one-time SSID” is selected on the SSID setting screen G405 illustratedin FIG. 4. The CPU 201 in the image forming apparatus 100 displays thefunction selection screen G401 on the display device of the operationunit 210. To start up the AP function unit 231, the user operates a“Wi-Fi® direct connection”.

When the “Wi-Fi® direct connection” is selected, the CPU 201 instructsthe wireless control unit 230 in the wireless LAN unit 212 to issue the“one-time SSID”, and displays information about the “one-time SSID”issued by the wireless control unit 230 on an SSID confirmation screenG601. A portable terminal that is desired to be connected to the imageforming apparatus 100 can join (participate in) a wireless networkenvironment established by the AP function of the wireless LAN unit 212in a manner such that a Wi-Fi® connection condition of the portableterminal is changed and set to a content displayed on the SSIDconfirmation screen G601.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing by the CPU 201 andthe wireless control unit 230, in the wireless LAN unit 212, of theimage forming apparatus 100. In step S701, the CPU 201 waits until itreceives a connection start instruction in response to a user operation.The CPU 201 receives, for example, in a state in which the “fixed SSID”is selected on the SSID setting screen G405, the connection startinstruction when the “designate terminal from connection history”, the“only new terminal connectable”, or the “connection not restricted” isselected on the Wi-Fi® direct connection screen G501. The CPU 201 alsoreceives, in a state in which the “one-time SSID” is selected on theSSID setting screen G405, the connection start instruction when the“Wi-Fi® direct connection” is selected on the function selection screenG401.

If the CPU 201 receives the connection start instruction (YES in stepS701), the processing proceeds to step S702. In step S702, the CPU 201instructs the wireless control unit 230 to perform initialization viathe communication I/F 207. Upon receipt of the initializationinstruction in step S702, in step S703, the wireless control unit 230performs initialization processing of the AP function. In this process,the AP function unit 231 establishes a wireless network under thecontrol of the wireless control unit 230. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the STA function and the AP function are unconditionallyswitched. More specifically, even if the STA function is operating, awireless network is forced to be established by the initializationprocessing of the AP function. As another example, the STA function andthe AP function can operate simultaneously.

In step S704, the wireless control unit 230 returns an OK responseindicating completion of the initialization to the CPU 201 as a responseto the initialization instruction. Upon receipt of the OK response, instep S705, the CPU 201 determines a connection condition. In step S706,the CPU 201 instructs the wireless control unit 230 to set connectioncondition information about the connection condition that is determinedin step S705.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the processes of the CPU 201 in stepsS705 and S706. In step S801, the CPU 201 checks whether the “fixed SSID”or the “one-time SSID” is set on the SSID setting screen G405. In a casewhere the CPU 201 determines that the “fixed SSID” is set (YES in stepS801), the processing proceeds to step S802. In a case where the CPU 201determines that the “one-time SSID” is set (NO in step S801), theprocessing proceeds to step S810.

In step S802, the CPU 201 checks whether the connection destination isdesignated from the connection history information 220. In a case where,on the selection from connection history screen G502, a portableterminal is selected using the selection button, the CPU 201 determinesthat the connection destination is designated from the connectionhistory information 220. In a case where, on the selection fromconnection history screen G502, a portable terminal is not selected, theCPU 201 determines that the connection destination is not designatedfrom the connection history information 220. In a case where the CPU 201determines that the connection destination is designated from theconnection history information 220 (YES in step S802), the processingproceeds to step S804. In a case where the CPU 201 determines that theconnection destination is not designated from the connection historyinformation 220 (NO in step S802), the processing proceeds to step S803.

In step S803, the CPU 201 checks whether designation in which theconnection destination is restricted to only a new terminal is set. In acase where the “only new terminal connectable” is selected on the Wi-Fi®direct connection screen G501, the CPU 201 determines that designationin which the connection destination is restricted to only a new terminalis set. In a case where the “only new terminal connectable” is notselected, the CPU 201 determines that the designation in which theconnection destination is restricted to only a new terminal is not set.In a case where the CPU 201 determines that the designation in which theconnection destination is restricted to only a new terminal is set (YESin step S803), the processing proceeds to step S806. In a case where theCPU 201 confirms that the designation in which the connectiondestination is restricted to only a new terminal is not set (NO in stepS803), the processing proceeds to step S808.

In step S804, the CPU 201 determines a first condition as the connectioncondition. The first condition is that a fixed SSID is set and just aconnection of a permitted terminal is permitted. The permitted terminalis a portable terminal selected by the user on the selection fromconnection history screen G502. In step S805, the CPU 201 instructs thewireless control unit 230 to set first condition information as theconnection condition information. The first condition information isinformation indicating that a fixed SSID is set and just a connection ofa permitted terminal is permitted. The first condition informationincludes a permitted terminal list having IDs of permitted terminals.

In step S806, the CPU 201 determines a second condition as theconnection condition. The second condition is that a fixed SSID is setand just a connection of a new terminal is permitted. The new terminalis a portable terminal not recorded in the connection historyinformation 220. In step S807, the CPU 201 instructs the wirelesscontrol unit 230 to set second condition information as the connectioncondition information. The second condition information is informationindicating that a fixed SSID is set and just a connection of a newterminal is permitted. The second condition information includes aninhibited terminal list having IDs of inhibited terminals. The inhibitedterminals are the portable terminals listed in the connection historyinformation 220. Thus, the wireless control unit 230 can consider aportable terminal other than the portable terminals listed, i.e., anexternal apparatus other than listed external apparatuses, in theconnection history information 220 as a new terminal.

In step S808, the CPU 201 determines a third condition as the connectioncondition. The third condition is that a fixed SSID″ is set and aconnection terminal is not restricted. In step S809, the CPU 201instructs the wireless control unit 230 to set third conditioninformation serving as the connection condition information. The thirdcondition information is information indicating that a fixed SSID is setand a connection terminal is restricted.

In step S810, the CPU 201 determines a fourth condition as theconnection condition. The fourth condition is that a “one-time SSID” isused and a connection terminal is not restricted. In step S811, the CPU201 instructs the wireless control unit 230 to set fourth conditioninformation serving as the connection condition information. The fourthcondition information is information including information forinstructing issuance of a “one-time SSID” and information indicatingthat a connection terminal is not restricted.

The processing in steps S801 to S804, S806, S808, and S810 illustratedin FIG. 8 correspond to the process in step S705. The processing insteps S805, S807, S809, and S811 correspond to the process in step S706.

Referring to FIG. 7 again, in step S706, the wireless control unit 230receives the instruction to set the connection condition information. Instep S707, the wireless control unit 230 sets the connection conditioninformation according to the setting instruction. In step S708, thewireless control unit 230 returns an OK response indicating that theconnection condition information is set to the CPU 201. Upon receipt ofthe OK response in step S708, in step S709, the CPU 201 instructs thewireless control unit 230 to start a terminal connection to the wirelessnetwork, which is established in step S703. Upon receipt of theinstruction, in step S710, the wireless control unit 230 performsconnection start processing. More specifically, the wireless controlunit 230 instructs the AP function unit 231 to start the terminalconnection. In step S711, the wireless control unit 230 returns an OKresponse indicating that the start instruction is issued to the CPU 201.

In step S712, the wireless control unit 230 waits until the wirelesscontrol unit 230 receives a connection request from a portable terminal,and determines whether the connection request to the wireless networkestablished by the AP function unit 231 is received. In a case where thewireless control unit 230 determines that the connection request to thewireless network has been received (YES in step S712), the processingproceeds to step S713. In step S713, the wireless control unit 230refers to the connection condition information, and determines whether awireless connection of the portable terminal as a request source of theconnection request is permitted. In a case where the wireless controlunit 230 determines that the wireless connection is permitted (YES instep S713), the processing proceeds to step S714. In a case where thewireless control unit 230 determines that the wireless connection is notpermitted, i.e., is rejected (NO in step S713), the processing returnsto step S712. In step S714, the wireless control unit 230 allocates anIP address to the portable terminal as the request source of theconnection request. Thus, data communication between the image formingapparatus 100 and the portable terminal becomes possible.

In step S715, the wireless control unit 230 notifies the CPU 201 ofconnection information. The connection information is information abouta connection to a portable terminal, and includes an MAC address, an ID,etc. Upon receipt of the connection information, in step S716, the CPU201 updates the connection history information 220 based on theconnection information.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processes in steps S707 and S713performed by the wireless control unit 230. In step S901, the wirelesscontrol unit 230 checks a connection condition relating to a settinginstruction. In a case where the wireless control unit 230 determinesthat the first condition (FIRST CONDITION in step S901) is set as theconnection condition, the processing proceeds to step S902. In a casewhere the wireless control unit 230 determines that the second condition(SECOND CONDITION in step S901) is set as the connection condition, theprocessing proceeds to step S903. In a case where the wireless controlunit 230 determines that the third condition (THIRD CONDITION in stepS901) is set as the connection condition, the processing proceeds tostep S904. In a case where the wireless control unit 230 determines thatthe fourth condition (fourth condition in step S901) is set as theconnection condition, the processing proceeds to step S905.

In step S902, the wireless control unit 230 sets the SSID setting to thefixed SSID, and sets a permitted terminal list. In step S903, thewireless control unit 230 sets the SSID setting to the fixed SSID, andsets an inhibited terminal list. In step S904, the wireless control unit230 sets the SSID setting to the fixed SSID. In the third condition, aportable terminal is not restricted. In step S905, the wireless controlunit 230 issues and sets a one-time SSID. The wireless control unit 230can also notify the CPU 201 of the issued “one-time SSID”, and the CPU201 can perform control to display the “one-time SSID” on the displaydevice. Also in the fourth condition, a portable terminal is notrestricted. Processing in steps S901 to S905 correspond to the processin step S707.

When the processing proceeds, and the wireless control unit 230 receivesthe connection request in step S712, in a case where the first conditionis set as the connection condition, in step S911, the wireless controlunit 230 confirms whether the portable terminal as the request source ofthe connection request matches any permitted terminals based on thepermitted terminal list. In a case where the portable terminal and apermitted terminal match each other (YES in step S911), the wirelesscontrol unit 230 determines that the connection is permitted (YES instep S713), and the processing proceeds to step S714. In a case wherethe portable terminal and a permitted terminal do not match each other(NO in step S911), the wireless control unit 230 determines that theconnection is not permitted (NO in step S713), and the processingproceeds to step S712.

In a case where the second condition is set as the connection condition,in step S912, the wireless control unit 230 confirms whether theportable terminal as the request source of the connection requestmatches any inhibited terminals based on the inhibited terminal list. Ina case where the portable terminal and an inhibited terminal match eachother (YES in step S912), the wireless control unit 230 determines thatthe connection is not permitted (NO in step S713), and the processingproceeds to step S712. In a case where the portable terminal and aninhibited terminal do not match each other (NO in step S912), thewireless control unit 230 determines that the connection is permittedbecause the terminal is determined as a new terminal (YES in step S713),and the processing proceeds to step S714.

If the third condition and the fourth condition are set as theconnection condition, the connectable portable terminal is notrestricted. Therefore, the wireless control unit 230 determines that theconnection is permitted (YES in step S713), and the processing proceedsto step S714. Processing in steps S713 and S714 are an example ofcommunication control processing for controlling a wireless connectionfrom the external apparatus to the image forming apparatus 100 based ona list of IDs of portable terminals serving as external apparatuses.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment, the portable terminal permitted to beconnected can be previously designated. This can prevent a situationwhere, because an unintended portable terminal and the image formingapparatus 100 are wirelessly connected to each other, the portableterminal, which is desired to be connected, and the image formingapparatus 100 cannot wirelessly connect to each other. Thus, the imageforming apparatus 100 can appropriately control the connection partnerin the wireless connection.

The method for restricting a portable terminal is not limited to thatdescribed in the present exemplary embodiment. In another exemplaryembodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 can, for example, be set topermit a wireless connection to all portable terminals listed inconnection history information. In still yet another exemplaryembodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 can, for example, be set topermit a wireless connection to the portable terminal set by a user andto inhibit a wireless connection to other portable terminalsindependently of a connection history. In another exemplary embodiment,the image forming apparatus 100, for example, can be set to inhibit awireless connection to the portable terminal connected by the user andto permit a wireless connection to other portable terminalsindependently of the connection history.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) can also be realized by a computer of a system orapparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions(e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which mayalso be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits(e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performingthe functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), andby a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing the computer executable instructionsfrom the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or morecircuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g.,central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and mayinclude a network of separate computers or separate processors to readout and execute the computer executable instructions. The computerexecutable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example,from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include,for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), aread only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, anoptical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD),or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and thelike.

While exemplary embodiments have been described, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplaryembodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded thebroadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications andequivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2016-009918, filed Jan. 21, 2016, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication apparatus that provides an accesspoint, the communication apparatus comprising: a display deviceconfigured to display information; and at least one controllerconfigured to perform: adding device information of one external deviceto a connection history list according to establishing of a connectionrelation between the access point and the one external device; causingthe display device to display a screen which includes a device listbased on the connection history list and on which it is possible todesignate a grant of permission for establishing a further connectionrelation with the one external device; and establishing a connectionrelation between the access point and the one external device in a casewhere it is designated to grant the permission after adding the deviceinformation of the one external device to the connection history list,and not establishing a connection relation between the access point andthe one external device according to inclusion of the device informationof the one external device in the connection history list in a casewhere it is not designated to grant the permission after adding thedevice information of the one external device to the connection historylist, according to receipt of an establishment request for establishinga connection relation with the access point from the one externaldevice; wherein the connection history list stores only deviceinformation of an external device with which a connection relation isestablished in a state where a one service set identifier (SSID) is setin the access point.
 2. The communication apparatus according to claim1, wherein if one permission setting of a plurality of permissionsetting is set, the controller establishes the connection relationbetween the access point and the one external device in a case where theinformation coinciding with the device information is not included inthe connection history list, and does not establish the connectionrelation between the access point and the one external device in a casewhere the information coinciding with the device information is includedin the connection history list, according to receipt of theestablishment request for establishing a connection relation with theaccess point from the one external device.
 3. The communicationapparatus according to claim 2, wherein if a permission settingdifferent from the one permission setting of the plurality of permissionsetting is set, the controller establishes the connection relationbetween the access point and the one external device regardless of theconnection history list.
 4. The communication apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to perform:displaying, on the display device, a screen for designating a permissionsetting from the plurality of permission settings.
 5. The communicationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is aprinting apparatus.
 6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the device information includes at least either of a name and anidentification of the one external device.
 7. The communicationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a service setidentifier (SSID) and key information are used for establishment of theconnection relation.
 8. A control method for controlling a communicationapparatus that includes a display device configured to displayinformation and that provides an access point, the control methodcomprising: adding device information of one external device to aconnection history list according to establishing of a connectionrelation between the access point and the one external device; causingthe display device to display a screen which includes a device listbased on the connection history list and on which it is possible todesignate a grant of permission for establishing a further connectionrelation with the one external device; and establishing a connectionrelation between the access point and the one external device in a casewhere it is designated to grant the permission after adding the deviceinformation of the one external device to the connection history list,and refraining from establishing a connection relation between theaccess point and the one external device according to inclusion of thedevice information of the one external device in the connection historylist in a case where it is not designated to grant the permission afteradding the device information to the connection history list, accordingto receipt of an establishment request for establishing a connectionrelation with the access point from the one external device; whereinonly device information of an external device with which the connectionrelation is established in a state where a one service set identifier(SSID) is set in the access point is stored in the connection historylist.
 9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein if a onepermission setting of a plurality of permission settings is set, theconnection relation between the access point and the one external deviceis established in a case where the information coinciding with thedevice information is not included in the connection history list, andthe connection relation between the access point and the one externaldevice is not established in a case where the information coincidingwith the device information is included in the connection history list,according to receipt of the establishment request for establishing aconnection relation with the access point from the one external device.10. The control method according to claim 9, wherein if a permissionsetting different from the one permission setting of the plurality ofpermission settings is set, the connection relation between the accesspoint and the one external device is established regardless of theconnection history list.
 11. The control method according to claim 9,wherein a screen for designating a permission setting from the pluralityof permission settings is displayed on the display device of thecommunication apparatus.
 12. The control method according to claim 8,wherein the communication apparatus is a printing apparatus.
 13. Thecontrol method according to claim 8, wherein the device informationincludes at least either of a name and an identification of the oneexternal device.
 14. The control method according to claim 8, wherein atleast a service set identifier (SSID) and key information are used forestablishment of the connection relation.
 15. A non-transitory storagemedium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a controlmethod for controlling a communication apparatus that includes a displaydevice configured to display information and that provides an accesspoint, the control method comprising: adding device information of oneexternal device to a connection history list according to establishingof a connection relation between the access point and the one externaldevice; causing the display device to display a screen which includes adevice list based on the connection history list and on which it ispossible to designate a grant of permission for establishing a furtherconnection relation with the one external device; and establishing aconnection relation between the access point and the one external devicein a case where it is designated to grant the permission after addingthe device information to the connection history list, and refrainingfrom establishing a connection relation between the access point and theone external device according to inclusion of the device information ofthe one external device in the connection history list in a case whereit is not designated to grant the permission after adding the deviceinformation to the connection history list, according to receipt of anestablishment request for establishing a connection relation with theaccess point from the one external device; wherein only deviceinformation of an external device with which the connection relation isestablished in a state where a one service set identifier (SSID) is setin the access point is stored in the connection history list.